Guantánamo.- The Cuban handball team is playing training matches in Umag, Croatia, one of the hosts of the upcoming world championship, in which Cuba will make its debut on January 16.
Team Cuba’s first game―against Algeria―ended with a 33-goal tie, but made it clear that the Cubans are in top shape and mentally prepared, as evidenced by their good performance in front of Africa’s second team, which only to the powerhouse Egypt in the final of the continental championships.
Come Thursday, Cuba will be opposite Kuwait in the second of its three scheduled friendly matches, whereas the last one will be against the local club RK Porek the following day.
The island’s main goal in the world championship, to be held in Croatia, Denmark and Norway, is to make it to the second phase of the tournament.
Cuba has competed in 7 World Championships, with an eighth place in Egypt 1999 as its best result in these events.